Butch Davis hasn’t served as a head football coach since the North Carolina Tar Heels fired him in 2011, but the 64-year-old is reportedly atop the Florida International Panthers’ list of potential new hires.
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FIU Looking to Tab Davis as Next Head Coach
Saturday, Nov. 5
Citing two sources Saturday, Sporting News’ Alex Marvez reported that “Davis is the front-runner to become Florida International University’s next head coach.”
Marvez mentioned Davis’ relationship with FIU athletic director Pete Garcia as one of the reasons why he’s emerged as the program’s No. 1 choice.
“Pete is his guy,” a source told Marvez.
The Panthers have been looking for a head coach since dismissing Ron Turner in late September following an 0-4 start to the season. While they’ve gone 3-2 since ousting Turner, the Panthers need a new coach who can turn the program around.
FIU hasn’t recorded a winning season since 2011, and the team has made just two bowl appearances since moving to the FBS in 2004.
As for Davis, the former Tar Heels and Miami Hurricanes boss boasts an impressive resume from a win-loss perspective, owning a 64.8 winning percentage with five bowl wins in his career.
However, Davis’ time in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, came to an unceremonious end when the school fired him amid an NCAA investigation regarding improper benefits and academic misconduct.
